Vexillology Website Links For
Vexillology
 

Information About

Vexillology




Vexillology is the scholarly study of '') constitution as "the creation and development of a body of knowledge about flags of all types, their forms and functions, and of scientific theories and principles based on that knowledge." A person who studies flags is a ''vexillologist'', and by extension, a person who designs flags is a ''vexillographer''.

The word "vexillology" is a synthesis of the Latin word '' Vexillum '' and the suffix –''ology'' meaning "study of". The Vexillum was a particular type of flag used by Roman Legion s during the Classical Era . Unlike most modern flags which are suspended from a Pole or Mast along a vertical side, the square vexillum was suspended from a horizontal crossbar along its top side, which was attached to a Spear .

Vexillologists are active in dozens of national associations within FIAV. Every second year, FIAV organizes the International Congress Of Vexillology (ICV). The 2007 ICV was hosted in Berlin, Germany ; the 2009 ICV will be hosted in Yokohama, Japan . Internet activity of vexillologists is centered on the Flags Of The World website and mailing list.


PRINCIPLES OF FLAG DESIGN

Flag designs exhibit a number of regularities, arising from a variety of practical concerns, historical circumstances, and cultural prescriptions that have shaped and continue to shape their evolution.

First among the practical issues confronting a vexillographer is the necessity for the design to be manufactured (and often Mass Produced ) into or onto a piece of cloth, which will subsequently be hoisted aloft in the outdoors to represent an organization, individual, or idea. In this respect, flag design departs considerably from Logo design: whereas logos are predominantly still images to be read off a page, screen, or billboard, flags are alternately draped and fluttering images to be seen from a variety of distances and angles. The prevalence of simple bold colors and shapes in flag design attests to these practical issues.

Flag design is also a historical process in which current designs often refer back to previous designs, effectively quoting, elaborating, or commenting upon them. Families of current flags may derive from a few common ancestors as in the cases of the Pan-African Colors , the Pan-Arab Colors , the Pan-Slavic Colors , and the National Flags Inspired By The Flag Of Turkey .

Certain cultures prescribe the proper design of flags, through :

# ''Keep It Simple:'' The flag should be so simple that a child can draw it from memory.
# ''Use Meaningful Symbolism:'' The flag’s images, colors, or patterns should relate to what it symbolizes.
# ''Use 2–3 Basic Colors:'' Limit The Number Of Colors On The Flag to three, which contrast well and come from the standard color set.
# ''No Lettering or Seals:'' Never use writing of any kind or an organization’s Seal .
# ''Be Distinctive or Be Related:'' Avoid duplicating other flags, but use similarities to show connections.


VEXILLOLOGISTS

  • Graham Bartram , Chief Vexillologist of the Flag Institute, and Secretary-General for Congresses of FIAV

  • William Crampton , founder of the Flag Institute

  • Marc Leepson , author of ''Flag: An American Biography''

  • Michel Lupant , current president of the FIAV

  • Ottfried Neubecker , most important German vexillologist, author of the German navy ''Flaggenbuch'' of 1939

  • George H. Preble , author in 1872 of the influential, if lore-filled, ''History of the American Flag''

  • Rudolf Siegel , author of the influential book ''Die Flagge'', published in 1912

  • Whitney Smith , founder of the Flag Research Center, editor of the ''Flag Bulletin'', and coiner of the word "Vexillology" in 1957



VEXILLOGRAPHERS



SEE ALSO



EXTERNAL LINKS